The Washington Post pulled a stunt where they had a world famous virtuoso violinist plat at a Metro station in DC. I’m rather horrified by the results.
The Washington Post pulled a stunt where they had a world famous virtuoso violinist plat at a Metro station in DC. I’m rather horrified by the results.
I’m not at all surprised. But then I’ve commuted by train for many years, and the Post skewed the results by picking the morning rush hour; the evening spot is worth much more (as any busker will tell you), because people can far more easily say to themselves “Hey, dinner will be 10 minutes late tonight”.
And think about those who commute by car: how many of them get to work, and sit in their cars for some minutes because someone’s saying something interesting on the radio? It’s rare.
Then there’s the genre: if the style of music is not what you think you like, you tune it out. You may think the noise sounds OK, but it doesn’t engage you.
Lastly, busking is intrusive. It’s like telephone cold-callers: even if the thing being sold is great, the initial reaction is irritation at the interruption. In that sense, it’s like a major open-air concert (like Live 8 a couple of years ago). If you want to go to a concert, great, otherwise it just bollixes up the traffic…
I have found that, in general, most people tune out their surroundings when they’re “on their way” somewhere. Most people simply don’t notice the people around them, or the beauty around them. I am happy to say that I always notice buskers and try hard to always show my appreciation with some kind of money. I don’t know that I would have recognized this as “great” given the ambient noise, but I suspect I would at least have stopped and listened for as long as my schedule allowed (because I have done so in the past.) But, my experience is that most people don’t do that. So this doesn’t surprise me at all. In fact, I would have been surprised if people *had* stopped.
I like the fact that every time a child walked by the child tried to stop and listen and had to be dragged off by the parental unit.
I saw this article yesterday, and I was not even a tad bit surprised at the result. It was exactly what I would’ve expected.
Actually, check that. It was not what I expected, as one person actually recognized him.
I am sort of surprised. When I hear a really good musician, I notice. I had an amazing experience on a NY subway this fall, when an AMAZING flutist appeared on our train car and played. It was beautiful, and we gave him money, which is unusual. It was such a treat. I actually wanted to pay attention to him, rather than try to ignore him, like I would the typical aggressive a capella guy. We felt really lucky, and wondered who he was.
I think it is really interesting how much CHILDREN noticed, and sad that parents wouldn’t recognize the interest and at least take a moment.
I do agree that morning rush hour is a difficult time for someone to stop for anything, but I still think it’s a little surprising that so few people even PAUSED.
I lived in DC and went through that station many times. I’m more surprised anyone talked to the reporters outside.
Now if he had picked the Dupont Circle station, he would have had much better results.
I’ve enjoyed street musicians in SF but haven’t stopped. It’s still nice to have em there making that beauty sound as I go on my way.
Even so, I would like for the pace of this world to chill out, definately.
I haven’t read it, but it seems to me that virtuoso and buskar are radically different tasks. I wouldn’t expect one to know how to address the other.
I’m more surprised that I read the entire article than I am at the few people who stopped to listen. Given this particular situation – not knowing who the guy was – chances are, I would’ve stopped to listen, at least briefly, so long as I wouldn’t be TOO late for work. I often think our priorities ARE screwed up, but at the same time, there’s a price you pay for everything.
I think it was a brilliant exercise/experiment, and I think Mr. Bell probably regained some humility he (surely) has lost as his fame has grown. Do I think it’s a shame more folks didn’t stop? YES! I’m just not surprised. Then again, I was born in the wrong time.
I read this when it came out, and I think stunt is the right word.
Fred Clark did a nice piece about it.
The ensuing discussion was worthwhile too.
TK